If you’re the parent or guardian of a child who’s about 6 years old, it probably won’t be long until you start noticing their baby teeth growing loose. This is typically when adult teeth start to grow in to replace them. Many kids get frustrated by their wiggling teeth because can hinder their ability to eat or speak. Others simply lose patience and grow annoyed waiting for their little pearly white to pop out. While well-wishers may have plenty of ideas, you don’t want them to do anything risky that would require a visit to their pediatric dentist.
If you’re hoping to help ease your child through this process, keep reading to learn 3 tips you can try to remove their wobbly tooth!
Tip #1: Tell Them To Use Their Tongue
Your little one might eagerly wiggle their tooth with their fingers to try to pull it out. Unfortunately, small hands are often riddled with germs from school, toys, or activities. When they put them into their mouth, they can introduce unhealthy bacteria that can infect their gums or contribute to tooth decay. Encourage them to gently push their pearly white with their tongue, instead. If they continue to do so periodically, it can encourage their baby tooth to finally break free.
Tip #2: Tie a String on a Doorknob
If their pearly white is barely hanging on by a thread, one fun way to finish the job is with the string and doorknob method. To do this, tie one end of a piece of string to a doorknob and the other around their tooth. Then, shut (don’t slam) the door to pull the thread taught and tug their tooth out. Don’t try this on teeth that still have a somewhat firmer hold, because you don’t want to cause any damage to their gums by yanking it prematurely.
Tip #3: Try a Dog Treat
If you have a dog at home, you can turn your child’s loose tooth into a game for the entire family. This involves tying the string to your kid’s pearly white on one end and your dog’s collar on the other. Then, throw a treat a short distance away so they chase after it, and voila! Their pearly white can slide right out of its socket. You can also try this with a ball or whatever toy your pet prefers.
If for whatever reason the tooth refuses to come out, contact your kid’s dentist. Some stubborn teeth may require professional extraction to prevent problems.
Now that you know a few exciting ways to encourage your child’s loose tooth to come out, you can make lifelong memories to smile over for years to come!
About the Practice
At Glen Ellyn Pediatric Dentistry, children at all stages of dental development benefit from a team of board-certified experts who provide a wide array of services under one roof. They know that oral health can be a dry topic and so go above and beyond to make each visit fun and educational. Plus, the whole family is sure to feel comfortable in their gentle and welcoming environment. If your child needs help removing their baby teeth, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (630) 858-8755.